Ozil Announces Germany Retirement, Alleges Racism And Disrespect from DBF Officials
Germany midfielder, Ozil, has announced his retirement from international football with immediate effect.
Ozil, 29, was made the scapegoat for Germany’s lacklustre display at the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
The 2014 World Champions failed to make it out of their group following two defeats and a win.
Ozil was criticised for his performance in Germany’s first defeat to Mexico, before being dropped for the victory over Sweden.
He was subsequently returned to the starting XI for the must-win clash with South Korea, but was again on the losing side.
Ozil posted three open letters on the social media on Sunday, concluding with his resignation from international football in which he hit out at the ‘racism and disrespect’ he has been subjected to.
He wrote: “It is with a heavy heart and after much consideration that because of recent events I will no longer be playing for Germany at international level whilst I have this feeling of racism and disrespect.
“I used to wear the German shirt with such pride and excitement, but now I don’t. This decision has been extremely difficult to make because I have always given everything for my teammates, the coaching staff and the good people of Germany.
“But when high-ranking DFB officials treat me as they did, disrespect my Turkish roots and selfishly turn me into political propaganda then enough is enough.
“That is not why I play football, and I will not sit back and do nothing about it. Racism should never, ever be accepted.”
Ozil’s first post of the day defended his decision to pose for a picture alongside Turkey president Recep Tayyip Erdogan back in May – an image that landed him in hot water at the time.
While the second letter was directed at the German media, and hit out at them for blaming the picture and his dual-heritage for the nation’s poor World Cup performance.
